Hot top for ingot molds



March 7, 9 w. MATHESIUS HOT TOPS FOR INGOT MoLDs Filed Marbh 9, 1929llllllllllllll! Patented Mar, 7, ll33 WALTHER MATHESIUS,

PATENT @FFlQl-E OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS HOT TOE FOR INGOT MOLIJSApplication filed March 9,

My invention relates to hot tops for use in connection with ingot moldsand has particular reference to a hot top in which the ingot mold andhot top are completely filled with molten steel in one continuous pourin contrast to the usual practice of filling the ingot mold and thenallowing the steel to partially cool before filling the hot top.

My invention relates further to a hot top which is adapted to seatdirectly on top of the ingot mold and does not have any portion thereofprojecting into the opening in the mold, thereby providing structureshaving a finished metal joint therebetween so the hot top fits tightlyenough upon the mold to prevent the molten steel running between themold and the hot top, so that the sides of the ingot when stripped aresmooth and do not have splines projecting therefrom.

One object of my invention is the provision of a hot top which is soconstructed that danger from sand, loam, or firebrick spalling from thehot top and falling into the mold and becoming mixed with the moltensteel, is avoided.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a hot topin which the danger of having the ingots suspended by the hot topsduring the cooling of the ingot is avoided, so that as the ingotcontracts during the cooling thereof, after being poured in the mold,there is no separation of the parts of the ingot and the ingotsolidifies in the mold in a solid homogeneous structure.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a hot topin which the maximum cross sectional area approaching that of the ingotmold proper, is utilized within which the molten steel is poured. Indesigns heretofore constructed it has been the practice to extend thehot tops into the ingot mold, thereby reducing the internal diameter ofthe hot tops so that the ingot is also reduced in size at the upper endthereof.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a hot topas described above, for ingot molds, which is easily renewed for reuseafter having been used 50 upon a mold, and is also easy to repair should1929. Serial No. 345,785.

any of the parts become broken or distorted because of use.

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully and betterunderstood by reference to the accompanying sheet of drawing, in whichFigure l is a top plan view of my improved hot top;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of my improved hot top; and

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view through the hot top.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, the hot top is composed of abase plate 10, to which is secured a pair of semi-circular lower shells11, 11 which have cooperating vertical flanges 12 and 13 respectively,through which bolts 14, 14 pass, thus holding these shells in positionwith respect to each other. The sections 11, 11 have bottom flanges 15,15 respectively formed thereon, through which bolts 16, 16 pass, thesebolts also passing through the bottom plate 10 so that the shells 11 areheld in fixed relation to the bottom plate 10.

An upper pair of shells 17, 17, semi-circular in form are provided whichare of the same form as the lower shells 11, 11, and which have lowerflanges 18 formed thereon adapted to cooperate with flanges 19 on theupper ends of the shells 11, 11 and through which bolts 20, 20 pass sothat the upper and lower shells are held together by the bolts 20, 2 0.The sections 17 also have side flanges 21 and 22 formed thereon throughwhich bolts 23, 23 extend, thus holding these united in fixed positionwith respect to each other and forming a complete metallic shell forsurrounding the other elements composing the hot top.

A firebrick lining 24, 24 is provided immediately inside of the shellsections 11 and 17, this firebrick lining resting upon the base plate10. A collar 25 of metal or any suitable material is provided which isfrusto-conical in shape and open at both its top and bottom and fitsinside of the central opening formed in the base plate 10 in engagementwith the walls forming the opening in the base plate. A filling ofmoulding sand or similar material 26 is provided between the firebrick24 and the collar 25 at the upper portion of the mold, the sand 26 beingretained in position at the lower side of the hot top by reason of theengagement between the bottom 10 and the collar 25. Trunnions 27, 27 areprovided for the purpose of enabling the hot top to be handled by acrane or the like, as a unit, and lugs 28, 28 having openings 29 thereinare also provided by means of which the hot top may be engaged by thecrane hooks if desired.

In preparing the hot top for use the collar 25 is placed in positionaround a form block of wood or the like, of the same form as the insideof the collar 25, and the collar placed in position in engagement withthe base plate 10 and the space between the firebrick 24 and the'outerside of the collar is rammed with sand. Thereupon the wooden form blockis removed and the device placed upon the .top of the ingot mold. Thelower side of the base plate is smooth finished as well as the upper endof the ingot mold, so that a tight fit is formed between the ingot moldand the base plate 10.

The opening in the hot top is, of course, placed in register with theopening in the ingot mold and the molten steel poured into the mold inthe manner usually followed with the molten steel filling the mold andalso the hot top. As the steel cools it thereby contracts and the collar25 becomes fastened to the upper end of the ingot so that as the ingotcontracts the collar is pulled downward out of the hot top and into theingot mold. The opening in the top of the mold must be of a sufficientsize to allow for the entrance of the collar 25, which is, however, ofthin metal and is blackened with paint or the like on the outer sidebefore the sand 26 is rammed around the outer side of the collar 25.

After the steel is sufliciently cool, the hot top may be lifted OK theingot with the collar 25 remaining on the ingot and a new collar 25placed on the hot top and sand or other loose material rammed around itin the same manner as heretofore described, whereupon the hot top isready to be placed upon the top of another ingot for the pouringoperation, the heat retained by the firebrick lining being amplysuficient to efiect a thorough drying of the sand.

Yvnile I have described more or less prereoaoee therefor, afrusto-conical shaped collar removably secured in spaced relation tosaid lining, and a refractory packing in the space between said collarand lining.

2. A hot top for ingot molds comprising in combination, a shell adaptedto rest upon the top of an ingot mold, a refractory lining of fire brickfitted within said shell, a collar removably mounted adjacent but spacedfrom the inner surface of said lining, and a refractory filler in thespace between the lining and collar.

3. A hot top for ingot molds, comprising an outer portion of refractorymaterial, said outer portion being formed of an upper and lower member,and a thin metal lining arranged within said members.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this fifth day of March, 1929.

WALTHER MATHESIUS.

cisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself thereto, as l[ contemplate changes in form and theproportion of parts and the substitution of equivalents as circumstancesmay suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit orscope of my invention.

ll claim:

1. A hot top for ingot molds comprising in combination, a shell, arefractory lining

